Shah Rukh Khan: 'I wanted to make a modern day Mahabharata'

Shah Rukh Khan has reportedly shelved plans to star in a film based on The Mahabharata.

Khan earlier suggested that he would like to star in a film version of the Hindu epic in which he would portray the character of Karna. However, he dropped the idea following reports that Rajkumar Santoshi plans to base his next film on The Mahabharata.

A source told Mid-Day: "When SRK's ambitious project RA.One was getting ready for release, he was keen to make another science fiction film and had informed his team to work on the lines of Mahabharata.

"SRK has always been attracted to the subject. However, nothing was finalised. The entire team was working on the show, however now SRK has dropped the plan."

Shah Rukh Khan confirmed the reports saying: "I wanted to make a modern-day Mahabharata, but I was on a flight and read that Rajji (Rajkumar Santoshi) is also making it. So I dropped the idea.

"Also a costume drama takes a lot of time and you need to have a certain look and you have to get into character for a year. As of now I am making my next home production and will also work on Farah's film."

Talaash star Aamir Khan also said it was his dream to recreate the epic tale of The Mahabharata, but claimed that he feared it was too great an undertaking.

Speaking at the Agenda Aaj Tak conference, he said: "My dream is to make Mahabharata, and I don't know if I will be able to fulfil this dream or not. It is a very difficult dream and a scary dream, because every time I think about it I feel I won't be able to do it. I am unable to gather the courage.

"It is such a huge responsibility. I don't know if I will be able to fulfil it or not. This subject has been in my heart from a long time," he added.

The 47-year-old said while his favourite character was also Karna, he did not feel that he was right for the role. "I don't suit the character. I think I would suit the role of Krishna," he added.

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epic texts of ancient India, which provides a narrative of the epic Kurukshetra War portraying the fates of the Kauravas and the Pandava princes.